LI Pastor Pleads Guilty To Sexually Exploiting Children: DOJ

BRENTWOOD, NY — A pastor at Long Island church pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation of a child on Tuesday, according to the Department of Justice.

Jose Saez, Jr., a pastor at a church located in Brentwood, pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation of a child before United States District Judge Joan M. Azrack and faces 15 to 30 years in prison, the DOJ said.

"The defendant’s sexual exploitation of minors, both in person and online, is horrific, and he now faces at least 15 years in prison for his unspeakable crimes," said United States Attorney John J. Durham. "That he held a position of trust and responsibility as a pastor of a local church makes his conduct even more reprehensible. Protecting vulnerable children from predators like this defendant will always be a priority of this office."

According to the investigation, Saez used an encrypted messaging service to engage in sexually explicit conversations with minors and with an undercover law enforcement officer, the DOJ said. In August of 2023, Saez had online conversations with the officer and said that he had sexually abused an infant, that his "sweet spot" was molesting children between the ages of 11 and 15 and that he was able to find his younger victims at "church," officials said.

During a court-authorized search, FBI agents recovered numerous images and videos of child pornography from the pastor, which he had solicited from minors and he also admitted to law enforcement that he encouraged a minor to produce child pornography and send it to him, the DOJ said.

"The defendant not only admitted to sexually abusing young children, but also discussed his church and his congregants as targets of additional abuse. His sustained exploitation of children—in person and online—is clear, and this plea is a step forward on the road to justice for his victims. Children are among the most vulnerable in our communities and the FBI will stop at nothing to make sure they are protected and the monsters who would do them harm are put behind bars," said Leslie Backschies, FBI Acting Assistant Director in Charge.

Anyone with information about sexual exploitation by the defendant may contact the FBI at tips.fbi.gov or 212-384-1000.